Back to School Eats: On The Go Breakfast Edition

It seems I’m a bit behind in writing this column. Some of you overachievers — I’m looking at you, California — have already sent your kids back to school; last week even. The first week of August! And I’m not going to lie, I want to know how you managed it because my kids, who do not return to school until the second week in September, have interrupted me six times while I wrote this first paragraph. I’m ready for back to school.

As a matter of fact, if I’d known there were states out there who sent kids back to school in early August I may have settled elsewhere to raise my own. In the meantime all I can do is hope Michigan gets with the program and plan for the days when mine do go back. And, if you happen to be one of those parents wistfully thinking of school days ahead with me, I can share those plans I’m making. Especially those that have to do with food. Which is exactly what I plan to do. For the next three weeks we’ll be talking back-to-school food of the local, artisan and handmade types.

On the menu this week: breakfast! Experts agree it’s the most important meal of the day and corporate food giants expend a great deal of marketing moolah harking products that promise to get kids off to a great start — never pausing to divulge the sugar and preservatives that’ll accompany that breakfast, of course — without taking too much time from the precious few moments most families have. What isn’t widely publicized is that locally sourced, handmade breakfasts don’t have to take copious time either and they can be a whole lot healthier.

Here a few of our favorite simple breakfast pleasures that can be taken from farm (or farm market) to table in no time:

French Toast. You’ve eyed the homemade breads at the farmer’s market long enough. This weekend make your way to the booth and buy a few loaves. Yes, a few. Take them home, cut them into thick slices, coat them in egg and make french toast, removing them from the heat just before they’re done. Freeze them with a slip of wax paper between each slice and you can literally pull french toast from the freezer for a quick and easy breakfast all fall and winter. Just pop the slices in the toaster or toaster oven and warm. And remember, this is not your Grandma’s french toast. Experiment with herbed or onion bread dipped in garlic spiked egg and topped with sour cream rather than syrup, for instance.

Overnight Oatmeal. In a large bowl mix enough steel cut oats for the whole family with just enough soy milk to cover and leave the whole thing in the fridge. In the morning pull out the oatmeal, which will now be soft and thick, mix it with your favorite local fruit — dried or fresh — nuts, spices or honey and either eat cold or microwave just long enough to heat through.

Scrambled Eggs. I like mine topped with salsa; my husband likes his with sliced mushrooms and sharp cheddar; my oldest daughter likes her with just a dash of pepper and my youngest, well, she’s a purist, she likes them plain. No matter the fixin’s however, it never takes long to make them. I use the microwave. Yes, the microwave. And the bonus, very little clean up. My girls can even make eggs themselves this way. Just break an egg or two into a glass dish, microwave on high at thirty second intervals, stirring and fluffing with a fork each time until the eggs are done to your desired dryness.

Fruit Smoothies. Remember all those berries I told you to stock up on earlier in the season? Now is the time to pull them from their freezer resting spot and put them to good use. Add one of fall’s first apples to the mix and blend up a few cups of your favorite with a little ice and milk (soy, goat, cow, almond, the sky is the limit) and enjoy. For an added protein boost you don’t need powders from the health food store, drop in a handful of steel cut oats or pair the smoothie with a handful of nuts.

What’s your favorite on-the-go breakfast that doesn’t have your family relying heavily on corporate food giants and their products?

About Diana Prichard

Diana Prichard is a homegrown and artisan food junkie; owner-operator of the small farm Olive Hill; and freelance writer living in rural Michigan. You can find more on her work and life at dianaprichard.com.

Comments

What ever happened to fatherhood and growing up. I do think some people in this world need to grow up and realize, the mistakes they have made. I am saying this to you diana, we had a beautiful little girl and for you to never allow me to see her is unjust. I was serving in Iraq, remember I joined in 2002 and after I came back in 2003 I had to fight with you over and over in the court system to even see natalie. I know that Ben is taking care of her, but she is now nine and I have not seen her since she was three. Where is the justice in all that. You sit on your high horse and act if your life is peachy, but let me ask this, what do you do when she does ask about me because she will find out and she will ask. Its straight bullshit that the only way I find out how she is doing is by asking your mother cause you do not have the courtesey of getting a hold of me cause when i have called you even though its been a long time you have hung up. Come on can we just be adults about this. You know how to contact me. And i can allready see where this is going to go,(let me guess another personal protection order cause the last time you did that i was over in IRAQ serving this very great country we live in. I mean the hell with the courts they do not do anything but what they see fit. I just wish you could see this my way. Put the show on the other foot how would you feel really Diana how would you feel.

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